France strongly condemns Beirut bombing that killed 22

The French Foreign Ministry on Friday issued a strong condemnation of Thursday's massive bombing in Beirut, where at least 22 people are known to have died and over 300 were wounded. The bomb, which exploded in the Rouiess area of the Lebanese capital, is thought to have been aimed at the Hezbollah group, which largely controls that area. France called for "all light to be shed on this bombing and that those responsible be brought to justice." Paris also reiterated its "commitment to the stability of Lebanon and its condemnation of terrorism. The Foreign Ministry statement urged all Lebanese to work to preserve national unity and support the unifying initiatives of President Michel Sleiman, a call echoed Thursday by the UN Security Council.